S.F. exhibit features contemporary Jewish artist

A new series of paintings by Gideon Rubin, who was born and raised in Israel, is on exhibit in San Francisco.

“On the Sofa” by Gideon Rubin

“On the Road,” Rubin’s fifth solo show at the Hosfelt Gallery, tests the limits of two traditional genres — portraiture and landscape — through an abstract, contemporary lens.

In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, Rubin explained that he used to paint realistic portraits, but that his transformation began after being in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. Upon returning to his home in London, Rubin began to paint pictures of worn out, abandoned toys that he’d found on the streets, he said. Gradually, he returned to portraiture, but without faces.

“I’d like to think the figures in my paintings remind the viewer of certain people or evoke memories rather than portray specific identities. My works are minimal, often there’s not much there,” he is quoted as saying.

The Tel Aviv–born artist is the grandson of Israeli painter Reuven Rubin.

His exhibit in San Francisco will be on display until Jan. 25. Hosfelt Gallery is located at 260 Utah St.